From different types of therapy to a variety of mood-boosting food, the world has truly come a long way in helping people manage their anxiety. Mental health awareness and education have helped a great deal, and with prominent figures stepping forward and speaking up not only to empathize but share their personal stories, there’s more support for people with mental health challenges than there ever was. This has encouraged studies and research on how to tackle anxiety—and among emerging solutions is a type of soundwave therapy called binaural beats therapy. 

 

But first, what are binaural beats? On a daily basis, our ears pick up different sound frequencies measured in hertz (Hz). Your left ear may perceive a tone of 150 Hz while the right perceives 160 Hz, and it’s that 10 Hz difference between the two that is called the binaural beat. 

 

According to a study, binaural beats may have a positive impact on reducing anxiety. Listening to binaural beats for 20 minutes daily, in another study, showed a 26% drop in anxiety symptoms during a two-week span and alongside conventional therapy. With all these said, is it worth a shot? We think so! Here are three reasons why you should try soundwave therapy to tackle your anxiety.  

 

1. It can help keep your thoughts hushed.  

A lot of people with anxiety have trouble keeping their thoughts quiet enough to be able to concentrate on anything, which is why binaural beats therapy may actually work. Because it makes use of musical tracks and specific sounds as a medium, it can help divert a person’s attention from the endless chatter in their heads to what they’re listening to instead. That’s hitting two birds with one stone, and all while reaping a host of benefits. 

 

2. It’s an inexpensive choice that can complement therapy. 

Let’s be realistic: therapy is already expensive enough as it is, and if you’re on medication, then you might be more reluctant about giving other “add-on” therapies a try, especially if you’re not sure if it will work for you and still have to pay for it. But here’s the thing: binaural beats therapy doesn’t have to cost an arm and leg. You can look for tracks yourself or even ask your psychologist for a recommendation—there’s a ton of binaural beats tracks out there that you can use, and a lot of them are free too! 

 

3. The benefits don’t start and end with the reduction of anxiety. 

Research suggests that binaural beats can also increase relaxation, focus, and concentration, lower stress, help with pain management, encourage a positive mood and even promote creativity just by selecting different tracks and waves. It may take a bit of trial and error, but if the benefits are this good, then why not?

 

While more research needs to be done about this therapy (so be careful if you have pre-existing conditions, are pregnant, plan to use it on a kid, and drive or operate heavy machinery), as a simple and affordable alternative to go alongside conventional therapy, it’s definitely something worth talking to your psychologist about. You never know—it might just be something that finally works for you.

 

For anyone who’s just getting into meditation, starting can seem a bit of a challenge. After all, when you look at the many types of meditation techniques out there, it’s pretty obvious that a lot of time and effort is involved. And while it’s true that meditating can take a while to get used to, once you get the hang of it, it’s sure to become a seamless, integral part of your everyday routine. But what are some of the things that can help you jumpstart your meditation journey? In today’s article, we want to share with you our top three! 

 

1. Meditating doesn’t mean being thoughtless. 

Many people who are new to meditation think it’s all about emptying the mind—but that’s just not the case! It’s downright impossible not to think of anything at all, and trying otherwise will not only be futile, but it can also turn you off from meditating. Instead of fighting your own naturally occurring thoughts, a healthier way of managing them while in the middle of meditation is to be aware of them enough to let them go. Once a thought has run its course, observed without you attaching meaning or judgment to it, you can then go back and refocus on your body and breath, and what you’re sensing and feeling at a given moment. 

 

2. Always start with a realistic goal. 

Are you the type to go big or go home? This mindset is admirable, but not if it sets you up for failure. If you’re new to meditation, there’s nothing wrong with a 2 to 5-minute session a day to start with. First and foremost, test the waters and figure out what works for you—because, in all honesty, there are a lot of things to consider, and what’s effective for a handful of people you read about online may not be the approach for you. You can start small, meeting little achievements as you go, and from there, you can build up a steady, lengthier meditation session that fits your schedule and needs.  

 

3. Right vs. Wrong vs. You

You’ll find a lot of “experts” online who will tell you exactly how to meditate, going as far as to convince you that theirs is the right way. While we’re not saying they’re wrong, more often than not, their “tried, tested, and proven” methods have been tailor-fit for them and them alone. This means that while you can give what has worked for them a try, don’t let yourself get boxed in: it may not work out for you in the long run, and you’ll feel unaccomplished and frustrated. Here’s what you can do instead: take everything that you consume from these meditation gurus as suggestions but don’t forget to try new things for yourself. Experiment a little bit and find something awesome that works right, just for you. 

 

Beginning something new is always a challenge, and because it is, it’s perfectly fine to start small. You don’t have to be a Zen Master on day one—all you have to be is dedicated and willing to see what you’ve committed yourself to until the very end. So keep on meditating no matter how slow the start. Over time, you’ll find the calm, peace, and balance you’ve been aiming for!